Jango Baie got off to a great start in his chasing career with a comfortable win in the SSS Superalloy Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.
Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old Bay, the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle Champion, further improved his record by finishing second in the point-to-point run.
He climbed back over bigger hurdles 7-4 under Nico de Boinville’s rules, with much of the focus on Paul Nicholls ) on Caldwell Potter in training, who was sent off in the 11-10 favorite.
The latter led the match but Jango Baie kept a close eye on him and when the pitch turned home, the Henderson contenders secured an impressive win with Spurs Linwell Bay finished second, with Caldwell Porter, which cost €740,000, third.
“I always think it’s a big test for a newbie to come over the fence for the first time and I don’t like doing it,” Henderson said.
“I was due to go to Aintree for the three-horse race last Saturday but that race got cancelled, so I was forced to come here. It’s not my first time here on the rules but this guy is brilliant.
“Nico asked him some of the right questions about the baby, and he got some of the right answers. Even though he wasn’t the biggest horse in the world, he had a lot of room for improvement.
“He certainly didn’t stop for more than two and a half miles, he just galloped off. He looked like a keeper.
“The owner has Jingko Blue, who also did well at Uttoxeter a few days ago. We’ve been lucky enough to have some good novice chasers this year, so we’ll have to see who the two-mileer is now and is three years old, No two and a half years old (at the festival) they are senior issues.
Caldwell Potter’s ownership group, which includes Sir Alex Ferguson, paid a record price for a jumping horse in training in February to secure gray horse, Nico “Harry (Cobden) was really excited about him, he said he jumped really well and learned a lot today,” he said.
“We didn’t learn a lot at Carlisle, he had a good bounce and Harry said he definitely wanted a slower surface than that.
“He could have gone faster if he wanted to, but he didn’t want to ask too many questions about his jump. We learned a lot today and maybe you won’t be afraid to go back to two miles if this is indeed a trial field and let him move on.
“He jumped well today, they sprinted down the straight and he just finished a little bit on his toes, but he’s only been over the hurdles a few times and he’s learning all the time. I think there’s still a lot to do.
“We’re not going to manage him but we just thought it would be good to get him some experience here. Rome wasn’t built in a day and Harry said don’t despair and he’ll be fine.”
King Turgeon rushes up Cheltenham Hill for Pipe and Tudor
King Turgeon battled hard to win his second jackpot of the season at the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 upcoming obstacle course at Cheltenham.
The David Pipeline trained Grey-grey bird has already won the Great National Fences at Great Sefton this season.
King Tekin
As at Aintree, Jack Tudor ran for most of the race but with three furlongs remaining he took the lead, this time with Our Power and favorite Kian Chianti Classico.
Kim Bailey’s Festival winner headed into the straight under new jockey Ciaran Gettings but Our Power troubled him a few lengths Later, Tudor pulled King Turgeon (9-4) to another crack.
He started off strong in the hills and eventually won a convincing three-length victory, with The Power of Us beating top heavyweight Chianti Classico for second place.
The winner’s contact may now be less concerned that their original target, last weekend’s Becher Chase at Aintree, was abandoned due to Storm Darla.
Paddy Power and Betfair took the National Series scoreline from 50 to 33-1.
Cheltenham Country Mile Skelton runners’ best times
The Country Mile looks like a sensible choice for Skeleton, who is happy to get back on his feet after his reputation was tarnished in the British EBF ‘National Hunt’ Novice Hurdle.
The five-year-old finished second on the dirt at Haydock on Betfair Chase day behind Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Roadless, but looks set to finish on a faster surface It looks completely different.
Country Mile Home
Harry Skelton did well to keep pace with the Sam Thomas trained Palacio who produced a strong performance early on and all the All eyes were on Nicky Henderson’s French recruit “That’s Nice” and Gordon Elliott’s wingman, who dominated the market.
However, as the pair closed in on the leaders, Skelton sat motionless on the Country Mile (5-1).
It was fantastic, finding disappointingly little, leaving the wingman in front, but with the country miles galloping over him, his jockey languid without moving to win by seven and a half lengths.
Excited coach Dan Skelton said: “It’s amazing to see him win like this. They obviously worked very hard and he’s very capable, isn’t he?
“He jumped a lot better today. He didn’t jump well at Haydock and I think he was really crushed that day too.
“We know he’s got the ability, but I think if he’s going to win a quality game, he’s going to try to do it. I don’t think he’s going to hang around like that, but they went too fast up front.
“I don’t know what we’re going to do with him now, we’ll see what the handicapper does.”
